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Tuesday, January 31, 2017

With the mysterious disappearance of Kallista's father, Leo Babbage, Trenton and Kallista work together to sort out the clues he has left behind. After discovering a compass, they set off with it in hand on the home made mechanical dragon they call Ladon. Not only do they hope to find Kallista's father but they also want to learn more about their hidden mountain city of Cove.

Instead they are shot down by a group of Whipjacks and find themselves in a city called Seattle, much different than their own. The people of Seattle have to scavenge their food instead of growing it and have made an alliance with the dragons through offerings. When Kallista and Trenton realize that the Order reveres the dragons, they try to hide the fact that they have killed one.

The Whipjack leader, the 'dimber damber' Cochrane, convinces the Order to let him use Kallista's and Trenton's mechanical skills instead of killing them. Their work just may end up inadvertently help the city gear up for war.

Savage escapes the dreaded boring middle book of a trilogy by skillfully creating a fantasy world, further developing characters, and building a plot that morphs into an intriguing adventure. Steampunk and dragons come together for a unique middle grade adventure sure to elicit excitement that will build throughout the book and have the reader anticipating the third.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

You Tube star, Charlie McDonnell thinks science is awesome and he's found a way to make a "Big Bang" with his first book. From the formation of the universe to the inner workings of your body, McDonnell covers a vast array of scientific topics with easy to understand facts. Written from a science fan's point of view instead of a scientist helps the younger reader get a grasp on basic principles.

McDonnell has a way of making facts fun by adding jokes and side notes along the way. For example when he adds the side note, "This rock is deep,, man...it has many layers," it makes it easy for the reader to visualize the concept of a layers of a sedimentary rock.

The best part of Fun Science is that it doesn't have to be read from front to back like a novel. The reader can choose the subject that is the most interesting and start in the middle if he chooses. While the high school or college science enthusiast might find some of the concepts to basic, the budding young scientist will love the introduction to all things science. A fun book that might light the path of a future astronomer, doctor, geologist, or researcher.

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Two youngsters sneak into the zoo after hours and find out what really happens when the guests leave. They find out it's time to get out those dancing shoes and get ready to cut loose with zaniest zoo animals on the planet. From rockin' with the chimpanzees and howlin' with the wolf pack, the youngsters witness all types of footwork in a variety of dancing styles. Even the zookeeper gets in on the fun.

Bowers use of vivid colors and smiling faces will crack a smile from even the grumpiest child. Kenny Loggins change to the lyrics of his infamous song, "Footloose" on the enclosed CD will have every child jumping up to join the animals in their dance. Warning: Do not read this one at bedtime as it's sure to cause spontaneous jumping and dancing on the beds. A sure hit even before the last line is finished. Don't worry about getting the song out of your head, it's programmed to stay a while.